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Wednesday, 10 February 2016

263) International Fleet Review 2016 (IFR – 16) held at Vishakhapatnam: Commemorative stamps in the denomination of Rs.5/- issued by the Department of Posts India on 06.02.2016:

263)
International Fleet Review 2016 (IFR – 16) held at Vishakhapatnam:
Commemorative stamps in the denomination of Rs.5/- issued by the Department of
Posts India on 06.02.2016:

A Naval Fleet Review is a long-standing tradition followed by
Navies across the Globe. It is a grand occasion when every operational ship is
spruced up, proudly displaying its crest/emblem and its company (officers and
crew) in a spirit of loyalty and allegiance to its Sovereign and the
State/Nation.

The
concept of a Review of naval ships was conceived as a show of naval might or an
inspection of readiness for battle at sea.

Presently,
the Fleet Review has transformed into more of a “symbolic sail past” where warships are assembled without any
belligerent intentions. Sometimes, such Reviews are conducted as a “celebratory
demonstration” for victories achieved in battle or for a coronation of a
monarch or on the occasion of visits by important State Guests.

On
many occasions, ships have sailed across the seas to participate in Fleet
Reviews of friendly nations. When
this happens, the assembly of ships undergoes an “International Fleet Review (IFR)”.

Indian
Naval tradition dates back to Vedic times, but there are few instances of
records of Fleet Reviews over the ages:

India has a naval
tradition dating back to Vedic times, although records of Fleet Reviews are found
few and far between.

The Chola Kingdom had a
powerful Navy with early Chola Naval ships/Sea Admirals sailing all the way up
to the Pacific Islands from Kaveripatnam for trade and intelligence gathering for
setting up beneficial alliances. At one time, the Chola Navy comprised of about
1000 longboats/warships which became a powerful diplomatic symbol all over
Asia. There are reports that there were regular Fleet Reviews under Rajendra
Chola I whose Empire stretched from Indonesia, to Cambodia in the East and had
influential strongholds all the way to China, Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka)
and Arabian countries. The Marathas too had a powerful navy and had a tradition
of Fleet Reviews during the supremacy of the Marathas.

Present
Day:

In India, the President,
as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviews the Fleet once during his tenure. Since India’s
Independence in 1947, ten Fleet Reviews have taken place.

The first Fleet Review was held in 1953 and the last was
held in 2011.

Prior
to the “International Fleet Review
2016”, the only other time that an International Fleet Review was held
in India was in February 2001, off Mumbai, in which ships from 29
countries had participated. I had an occasion to witness the International
Fleet Review in 2001. Much goodwill and appreciation was earned by India from
the participating nations in the IFR.

The
Format of the Presidential Fleet Review:

After several ceremonies
on shore, the President’s Yacht steams past an impressive array of ships of
both Indian and Merchant Navies and the Coast guard, which all together
symbolise India’s maritime strength.

The
Indian Fleet Reviews varies from that of some Navies of the world, where ships
steam past the reviewing yacht or ship.

In this very formal
ceremony, vessels from all commands are anchored in line at the precise spot
allotted to them. After a 21-gun salute, the President embarks on the
Presidential Yacht, distinguishable by the Ashok Emblem on her side and reviews
all the ships by cruising past them.

Each ship is manned by her
company, dressed in white ceremonial uniforms. As the Presidential Yacht sails
past, white caps are doffed in unison in a grand salutation. The resounding
sound of three “Jais” (meaning
“victory”) echoes over the waves, in a reassurance of pledging his allegiance
by every sailor to the President, their Supreme Commander. The Review also aims
to reassure the country of the Indian Navy’s preparedness, its high morale and
discipline.

In a tradition inherited
from the Royal Navy, the President inspects the navy to ascertain its strength
and reaffirm his faith in its readiness to safeguard the nation’s maritime
interests and its security.

Leading Nations of the
World occasionally invite their maritime neighbours or friendly countries to
participate with their ships in the Review in an event normally called
“International Fleet Review”. The International Fleet Review serves as an
occasion to display the host country’s maritime capabilities and mutual trust
among participating maritime Nations.

The might of the Indian
Navy came together at the IFR-16. The President reviewed the International
Fleet comprising 75 frontline ships and submarines, besides 24 ships which had
sailed in from across the Globe. Each ship was manned by the ship’s company,
dressed in white ceremonial uniforms.

Participating in this
display was also the latest acquisitions of the Indian Navy including the
latest acquisition from Russia the “INS Vikramaditya” (an Aircraft Carrier),
while also participating was the “INS Viraat”, the oldest Aircraft Carrier in the World, slated to be retired later
this year. This was the last time the two Aircraft carriers were seen together.52 foreign fleets participated in the event which included contingents from Australia, Bangladesh,
Brazil, China, France, Indonesia, Iran, Maldives, UK and USA.

For over a month, over 80 warships and
support vessels were stationed in a 100 sq. km. area on the Indian Ocean. The presence of these warships along the
coast was a major security concern and round the clock surveillance by
aircraft, fast crafts etc. was carried out to ensure protection of these
vessels.

The
Presidential Review of the International Fleet on 06.01.2016:

The President of India,
Shri Pranab Mukherjee inspected the Guard of Honour of Navy personnel at the
Eastern Naval Command before witnessing the International Fleet Review in
Vishakhapatnam on 06.02.2016.

After a 21-gun salute, and
the ceremonial Guard of Honour, the President embarked on the Presidential
Yacht, INS Sumitra, (an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel) which
sailed through 70 ships at anchorage off Vishakhapatnam. Interestingly, S/Shri
Pranab Mukherjee and Narendra Modi wore caps with “President” and “Prime
Minister” embossed on them.

The Presidential column
sailed through the formation of ships. The crew on board the ships doffed their
caps in unison in salutation with three “Jais”.

The fly past that
accompanied the Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) comprised 15 formations of 45
aircraft including two formations from the Indian Coast Guard. In the final
stage of the Review, a mobile column of warships and submarines steamed past
the Presidential Yacht.

The
logo of the International Fleet Review 2016:

Logo:
The International Fleet Review 2016logo depicts the 3 operating
dimensions of the Navy, with a ship, submarine and an aircraft, and also the
letters I–F–R which form an integral part of the logo. The dolphin is the
mascot depicting friendship across oceans.

Theme: The
theme of the IFR – 16 was “United through Oceans”

Postage
Stamps brought out by the Department of Posts, India to commemorate the
International Fleet Review 2016:

The Department of Posts
released a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the International
Fleet Review 2016:

The Front Cover of the Stamp Folder/Jacket in which I have received a four- stamp block, a First Day Cover (FDC) and an information Brochure from the e-postoffice located at New Delhi.

The Se-tenant/Block of Four stamps contained in the Stamp Jacket.

An image of a Commemorative stamp of
Rs.5/- denomination depicts the 3 operating dimensions of the Navy, with a
ship, submarine and an aircraft and is titled the “International Fleet Review
2016”

The First Day Cover (FDC) issued
on the occasion shows the Rs.5/- stamp. The cancellation stamp is of New Delhi and depictsthe
logo of the IFR – 16, with the date of Cancellation as "06.02.2016". At the lower bottom is shown two dolphins each on either
side with the theme of the IFR – 16 “United through Oceans” in the centre.

The cancellation stamp on this First day cover (FDC) is of Pune GPO and depictsthe
logo of the IFR – 16, with the date of Cancellation as "06.02.2016". I now have two FDCs - one from New Delhi GPO & the other from Pune GPO in my Philately collection.

An image of the full sheet
of stamps issued on the occasion of IFR – 16

The Information Brochure on the International Fleet Review - 2016.

Posted on 29.02.2016:

epostoffice Philately Museum, New Delhi has brought out a limited
edition of a book on Presidential Fleet Reviews titled “A Commemoration of
Presidential Fleet Reviews – Ekya”.
The book is duly signed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R K Dhowan.

The Cover of the Limited Edition Book

Original Presidential
Fleet Review stamps released by India Post in the years 1984, 1989, 2001, 2006,
2011 and 2016 are also included in this special collector’s edition. Details of
the stamps are as follows.

This limited
edition signed book is priced at Rs.5000/- and it is available
only on epostoffice and it is available now. (The link for booking this limited edition is available on the Indiapost
website under the "Philately Section”)

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .